The Portland daily press., 1887-08-01
CONCERNING BOOKS.
BIZ e. cAvAzzA.


About two years ago. Major-General James
Harrison Wilson, with commendabie enter
prise, resolved to assist the star of empire on
Its westward way by crossing the American
continent and proceeding to China with
view to investigate the possibilities for fu-
ture construction of railroads, and the likeli-
hood OF returns upon American investment
and management of such roads, He visited
Taku. Kaiping, Pekin, the Great Wall, and
lastly the country beyond the Yellow River
involving ahorseback journey Of more than
1900 miles in the depth of winter. He visit
ed Japan, and like most sojourners there,
was greatly pleased with its people and its
civilization. In General Wilson's opinion.
the introduction of American and European
ideas is not destined to injure Japanese art :
but, In affording to the laboring classes bet
ter education and more comfort, will rather
increase the beauty of their designs. He
concludes that in Japan there is not much
held Tor railway engineers and contractors !;
butthat American manufacturers of bridges,
locomotives and cars should control that
market against the rest of the world" In
China, he notes that the Importance of the
city OF Shanghai, as regards politics and
progress, must be appreciated by those who
would trace the probable course of the fu
ture civilization of China. The Chinese ter
ritory, under the late Empress Regent has
been greatly enlarged and strengthened. un-
til 1t nearly equals its former prosperity and
extent in the days OF Kublai Khan, in the
18th century. Little by little railroads are
approaching the jealousy guarded empire,
near the western border; and in an exceed
iagly interesting visit to the Viceroy, Gener-
al Wilson was told by that dignitary that
China must have its railways. Various me-
MORALS have been addressed to the Chinese
Throne by generals of the army and superin-
tendents of trade, urging the construction of
railroads in the empire; and the famous Tso
Isdry-sang, scholar and soldier, wrote on
his death bed pathetic appeal, fairly lyric
In Its passionate patriotism. General Will
son observed and describes the social, politi-
cal and commercial conditions of China; and
believes that the country is ready to expend
large sums upon railroads, mines and rolling
mills, under direction of foreign experts who
shall treat the natives honorably and fairly.
Their statesmen are greatly DESTROYS for the
introduction of railroad system, but not at
the risk OF any increase of European infiu-
ence or interference in Chinese internal gov
eminent. The treasury has no surplus; the
people are instructive protectionists, and are
unwilling to send money out of the country.
The conclusion, briefly stated. of General.
wilson's observations is that americans
VIII DO well to construct me initial lines for
10 fIxxrox
'ie railways, using capital raised by Chinese
subscription and materials purchased at
swhatever market is cheapest He notes the
satisfaction given to the Chinese by the pas
sage in our Congress of the Indemnity Bill.
and recommends certain measures of further
friendliness between the two nations. Gen
eral Wilson is to be credited with an exceed
ingly practical, valuable and instructive
work ON China and its institutions. New
York: d. Appleton & Co.; Portland: Lor-
ing, Short e. Harmony
Messrs. Benjamin & Bell of New York
reprint a satire, published in PHILADELPHIA.
lS47, with the title of The Poets and Poetry
Of America. 1t is introduced by an arcu-
ment designed to prove that "Layante," the
author of the satire, was none other than
Edgar Allan Poe. It is incredibly heavy.
bitter and unjust, and the element Of wit is
conspicuously absent. If Edgar Poe wrote
so stupid and uncritical ISLANDERS of his con-
temporary poets-and his venomous prose
reviews render the supposition quite proba-
ble-he showed at least one ray of judicious
acumen in not acknowledging his work.
Such extreme malignity as his is mental
and moral disease. and as such bespeaks
charity whose best expression is silence.
The arguments brought to prove Poe's au-
thorship seem fanciful and not as strong as
the internal evidence of the satire itself.